Art
Everyone in the arts was out last night
There were openings at Ochre Ghost, Washington Gallery, and Prøve. I spent the night at Prøve listening to Snöbarn.
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Local artist is IFP new media finalist
Catherine Meier, new media artist and local filmmaker, is a finalist for the Independent Filmmaker Project New Media Project Grant. Only one of these is awarded for the whole state. (more…)
4x photo submission deadline extended
The 4x (meaning “4 by” as in 4×6 print, or 4×26 print) exhibit at the Duluth Photography Institute has extended the deadline for its call for submissions until Monday, March 4. This exhibit is open to everyone. Just attach your 4xsomething print to a stiff backing, put your name and contact info on the back, and drop it off or mail it to the DPI. We are accepting drop-offs on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., and Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more important details, please see the “Events” page of the DPI website or call Brian at 218.393.2468.
Duluth Art Institute seeking volunteers
If you love art and want to get involved in your community, why not become a Duluth Art Institute volunteer? The DAI is currently seeking individuals to assist in its galleries and to help out with its docent program. Visit the website to learn how you can help out.
Claire Stewart – “Duluth, My Home Town”
A nifty animation by Dave and Jean Kirwan set to a 1961 jingle about our fair city. This took first place in the 2013 Playground Short Shorts Film Festival this weekend.
An official Magic Smelt transmission
Last week, Neptune was spotted by a PDD contributor making various proclomations. If you were wondering what was up, it’s this video. The Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to put on free workshops for people to build puppets, masks and costumes for the Smelt Parade on April 21st.
The Kidnappers Foil: 1938 Duluth Footage
Starting in the 1930s, Melton Barker traveled across the United States filming The Kidnappers Foil for the next 40 years. No, he did not take this long to film one movie, instead he filmed the same movie in every town that he visited, perhaps hundreds of times. I’m not sure if this was part of a “home movie” business plan, or if he was ripping people off with promises of fame, but nonetheless, it’s now part of movie history.
In 1938, he stopped by Duluth to film, and though the main film is missing, there are two scenes featuring Duluthians. Maybe you have a famous grandparent and never knew it? (more…)
David Bowen exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Duluth mixed-media artist and associate professor at UMD David Bowen has his “Underwater 2013” exhibit on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. (more…)
Sea creature proclaims smelt cometh
I saw a commercial being made for the upcoming Smelt Festival while walking in Canal Park today. The sea creature character was booming out a pretty funny pronouncement from the Smelt Queen promising puppetry, puppet making and smelt-y fun in exchange for funding.
It’s stuff like this that makes me love this town.
Seeking: Homegrown Photos
The Homegrown Music Festival is seeking photos from the 2012 festival for use in the Field Guide. Large, print quality photos, please – most camera phone photos are not going to cut it.
Please send photos / more information / mailing address for discs: transistormag [at] gmail [dot] com.
Thank you, fans!
Gage Salyards’ Healing Journey
Duluth photographer Gage Salyards is battling papillary thyroid cancer, but he still has plans to study with one of the most famous and renowned travel photographers on the planet, Trey Ratcliff, in New Zealand. Obviously all of his financial resources of late have been invested into regaining his health, so he’s doing what all the artsy folks are doing these days and reaching out to the Internet for help.
See his gofundme.com campaign to make a donation, and check out his portfolio and more information about his photography at eyeamgage.com.
His workshop begins on Feb 6, so the clock is ticking. As of this posting he is 3/4 of the way to his $10,000 goal.
Women’s Words on KUMD
I love this new(ish) show on KUMD. Check out recordings from past shows here [Jill Hinners, Deborah Cooper, Cheryl Reitan, Sheila Packa, Gail Trowbridge, Meredith Cornett (total self-promotion, please forgive me), and many others!]. “Women’s Words” airs at ~1:30 and 3:30 p.m. on Sundays as part of the Women’s Music Show. If you are a (woman) writer willing to do a short reading from your work, they want to hear from you!
“Duluth is Horrible” Casting Call
Everyone’s upcoming least favorite film is having auditions Jan. 30 & Jan. 31. Here is the notice with all the info about the film & characters. If interested, please send me an email with any acting experience you have, a pic, and what roles you prefer. Acting experience isn’t necessary. Just be willing to work and have fun with it. Thanks and I look forward to meeting with you.
Prøof Magazine
Prøof Magazine is proud to announce the online release of its second issue, (re)collection. This issue addresses the role of memory in the creation and perception of art. The issue features a rich variety of contributors, from the poet laureate of the state of Rhode Island to a teenaged graphic designer from Minneapolis. The art and writing within this issue is stark at times, funny at others, but all of it pulls at the threads of time and self, a craft exemplified by the work of the featured artist, Mayumi Amada. The issue is available online in its entirety, free, and, for Duluthians, come by to check out the print version next week at Prøve Gallery.
“Duluth is Horrible” Kickstarter
This February (maybe), filmmaker Vincent Gargiulo will be coming to Duluth to film a short movie titled Duluth is Horrible. Chip into the Kickstarter here, and/or follow the news on their blog.
Prøve Gallery open call for art
Prøve Gallery is seeking artwork for its “Fragility” exhibition, opening Jan. 11. The show is focusing on the beauty, uncertainty and fragility of winter.
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Medium Control Renovation in Canal Park
The Medium Control has an Indiegogo Campaign to help fund the renovation of a new store.
We made an old-school Super8 video so you can learn who and what the Medium Control is and more about the new store renovation in the second floor of a Canal Park building that sat empty for 20 years. We’re so excited to share this with Duluth.
Tommy+Kristy
The Medium Control
Asking for two pieces of advice
Two questions:
First: I am working with a journalism student on a news article and in it, the student mentions that a person used to work at a sporting goods store named CZ Wilson. Does that ring any bells?
Second: My daughter is an artist and has created watercolor paintings on seasonal cards (this is not an ad, don’t worry). Now, she would like to take those cards and have them printed on nice stock paper or whatever I really mean to say. Are there good local printers who do that work that people would recommend?
Thank you.
Casting call for Duluth film
Minneapolis-based director/producer Michael Forstein and his production crew will be in Duluth from Dec. 7-10 to shoot a film written by Duluth East alum Colin Thomsen.
The principle cast is comprised of actors based out of the Twin Cities and Los Angeles, but there is a casting call for Duluthians interested in playing roles that fit the following descriptions:
Very old lady
Mom and small child
Boy age 6-13
Teenage girl
Man age 40-60 with mustache
Middle-aged man
Bartender
Older woman with two small children
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Kids’ book set in alternative-universe Duluth
I’m a writer who grew up in Duluth and use the city as part of the setting for a middle-grade ghost adventure called Johnny Graphic and the Etheric Bomb. Johnny is a 12-year-old news photographer who lives in an alternative universe in 1935, in which Duluth is called Zenith. Ghosts are real in this world and a few of them have something very nasty in mind for the city. The book is available as a print-on-demand paperback and e-book through Barnes and Noble and other online retailers. Right now, I’m also giving paperback copies away through Goodreads, for any readers who may belong. The book’s website is johnnygraphicadventures.com.
Soldering and/or electronics wizard wanted
I’m looking for a person knowledgeable in the fine arts of soldering and/or electronics to either commission, or better yet, apprentice under. Teach a man to fish, y’know?
I am an artist and ummm … musician new to the area looking to expand my arsenal and meet up and work with like-minded folks. I have a few specific projects in mind but lack the cognitive capacity for such wonderful crap. Basic synth kits. Circuit modification and highly liquid midi kits are on my mind … Google em.
Prefer to trade work, food, art or any other supplies before cash. I can also do cash.
Prøve Gallery Call for Art Under $100
Prøve Gallery, Duluth’s newest space for emerging and contemporary art, is seeking to give emerging artists the opportunity to gain experience and exposure and further Duluth’s community involvement and interest in the arts.
Call for Art Under $100
All work should be priced under $100. There are no theme or media restrictions. Works can be hung on the wall, free standing, laying on the floor, suspended, etc.
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Seeking Nominations for the Arrowhead Arts Awards
Who would you nominate for the awards below? I’m interested in seeing new names, new faces in the arts that we might not consider! Post some suggestions in the box below, and consider nominating them!
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Seeking Nominations for The Arrowhead Arts Awards (more…)
Norman Pettingill: Outsider artist from Superior
Has anyone heard of this guy? Norman Pettingill was born in Iron River in 1896. He moved to Superior in 1937. He was known for his “backwoods humor” postcards. A hardcover (plywood, actually) book on his work came out in 2010, with an introduction by R. Crumb, who published Norman’s work in the 1980s. He died in 1991. (more…)